# Desert Gold Preliminary Economic Assessment \("PEA"\) Progress Update for SMSZ Project in West Mali, Africa

Canonical Atlas analysis: https://atlas-staging.minestarters.com/news/desert-gold-preliminary-economic-assessment-pea-progress-update-for-smsz-project--8e35b7e9-1dc2-4424-b4d1-578ef44b3de8

Original source: https://money.tmx.com/en/quote/DAU/news/8532548954682393/desert-gold-preliminary-economic-assessment-pea-progress-update-for-smsz-project

Publisher: tmx

Original announcement: 2024-08-01T09:30:00.000Z

Analysis by Minestarters Atlas

Atlas analysis published: Unknown date

Atlas analysis updated: Unknown date

- Company: Desert Gold Ventures Inc.

- Ticker: DAU

- Exchange: TSX

- Region: West Mali

- Primary commodity: Gold

- Secondary commodities: None reported

- Document categories: Drill results, Metallurgy, Resource update

- Extracted: 2026-08-23 06:54:33 UTC

Narrative sentiment: 0.60 · Bullish

## Minestarters Atlas summary

Desert Gold provided a progress update on its SMSZ Project PEA, reporting metallurgical drill assay results from the Barani East, Gourbassi West, and Gourbassi West North zones. The company noted unexpected grade extensions and is preparing an initial resource estimate for the Gourbassi West North zone.

Reasoning: The update provides significant progress on the PEA, including metallurgical drill results that show unexpected grade extensions and the potential for a new resource area.

- Positive factor: unexpected zone extensions

- Positive factor: higher grades than expected

- Positive factor: potential new resource at Gourbassi West North

- Negative factor: 1.5 metres of core missing from BE-MET4

Facts used in scoring: 17

## Classification and evidence

**QA/QC Disclosed**

Polarity: positive

Definition: Release includes QA/QC disclosure — certified lab, QP sign-off, or stated methods \(blanks, standards, duplicates\).

Why it applies: The release mentions a Qualified Person \(Don Dudek, P.Geo.\) has reviewed and approved the technical information.

Evidence · text

> Don Dudek, P.Geo. a director of Desert Gold and a Qualified Person under National Instrument 43-101, has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical information contained in this press release.

**Infill Drilling**

Polarity: neutral

Definition: Confirmatory drilling to raise resource confidence, not new discovery.

Why it applies: The metallurgical holes are part of a program to support the PEA and provide data for resource/metallurgical modeling.

Evidence · text

> Assay results have been received from the 12 metallurgical drill holes.

## Extracted facts

Stored fact records: 17. Some facts used in scoring do not have a stored record.

## Drill Results (17)

### BE-MET2

[Link to this fact](https://atlas-staging.minestarters.com/news/desert-gold-preliminary-economic-assessment-pea-progress-update-for-smsz-project--8e35b7e9-1dc2-4424-b4d1-578ef44b3de8#fact-drill-facts-0)

SMSZ Project · gold

#### Identity

- Hole ID: BE-MET2
- Project: SMSZ Project
- Commodity: gold
- Region: mali
- Reported Region: West Mali
- Ticker: DAU

#### Geometry

- Grade: 2.61
- Grade Unit: g/t
- Intercept: 14 m
- From: 41 m
- To: 55 m

#### Classification

- Sample Type: drill
- Group ID: BE-MET2:41-55
- Mining Method: open\_pit

#### QA/QC

- QA/QC Disclosed: Yes
- QP Signed: Yes

#### Review

- Needs Review: No
- Interp. Status: scored
- Historical: No

#### Dates

- Event date: 2024-08-01T00:00:00.000Z

Reasoning: Moderate grade intercept in oxide zone.

Evidence · text

> BE-MET2 - 2.61 g/t Au over 14 metres from 41 metres - oxide

### BE-MET3

[Link to this fact](https://atlas-staging.minestarters.com/news/desert-gold-preliminary-economic-assessment-pea-progress-update-for-smsz-project--8e35b7e9-1dc2-4424-b4d1-578ef44b3de8#fact-drill-facts-1)

SMSZ Project · gold

#### Identity

- Hole ID: BE-MET3
- Project: SMSZ Project
- Commodity: gold
- Region: mali
- Reported Region: West Mali
- Ticker: DAU

#### Geometry

- Grade: 3.54
- Grade Unit: g/t
- Intercept: 10.15 m
- From: 123.5 m
- To: 133.65 m

#### Classification

- Sample Type: drill
- Group ID: BE-MET3:123.5-133.65
- Mining Method: open\_pit

#### QA/QC

- QA/QC Disclosed: Yes
- QP Signed: Yes

#### Review

- Needs Review: No
- Interp. Status: scored
- Historical: No

#### Dates

- Event date: 2024-08-01T00:00:00.000Z

Reasoning: Strong grade intercept for an oxide zone.

Evidence · text

> BE-MET3 - 3.54 g/t Au over 10.15 metres from 123.5 metres - oxide

### BE-MET4

[Link to this fact](https://atlas-staging.minestarters.com/news/desert-gold-preliminary-economic-assessment-pea-progress-update-for-smsz-project--8e35b7e9-1dc2-4424-b4d1-578ef44b3de8#fact-drill-facts-2)

SMSZ Project · gold

#### Identity

- Hole ID: BE-MET4
- Project: SMSZ Project
- Commodity: gold
- Region: mali
- Reported Region: West Mali
- Ticker: DAU

#### Geometry

- Grade: 0.72
- Grade Unit: g/t
- Intercept: 4.5 m
- From: 69.5 m
- To: 74 m

#### Classification

- Sample Type: drill
- Group ID: BE-MET4:69.5-74
- Mining Method: open\_pit

#### QA/QC

- QA/QC Disclosed: Yes
- QP Signed: Yes

#### Review

- Needs Review: No
- Interp. Status: scored
- Historical: No

#### Dates

- Event date: 2024-08-01T00:00:00.000Z

Reasoning: Low grade intercept with missing core reported.

- Negative factor: core missing

Evidence · text

> BE-MET4 - 0.72 g/t Au over 4.5 metres from 69.5 metres - oxide, 1.5 metres of core missing from zone

### BE-MET4

[Link to this fact](https://atlas-staging.minestarters.com/news/desert-gold-preliminary-economic-assessment-pea-progress-update-for-smsz-project--8e35b7e9-1dc2-4424-b4d1-578ef44b3de8#fact-drill-facts-3)

SMSZ Project · gold

#### Identity

- Hole ID: BE-MET4
- Project: SMSZ Project
- Commodity: gold
- Region: mali
- Reported Region: West Mali
- Ticker: DAU

#### Geometry

- Grade: 1.32
- Grade Unit: g/t
- Intercept: 13.5 m
- From: 79 m
- To: 92.5 m

#### Classification

- Sample Type: drill
- Group ID: BE-MET4:79-92.5
- Mining Method: open\_pit

#### QA/QC

- QA/QC Disclosed: Yes
- QP Signed: Yes

#### Review

- Needs Review: No
- Interp. Status: scored
- Historical: No

#### Dates

- Event date: 2024-08-01T00:00:00.000Z

Reasoning: Higher grade interval within the same hole.

- Positive factor: extra mineralization

Evidence · text

> BE-MET4 - 1.32 g/t Au over 13.5 metres from 79 meters - oxide, extra mineralization

### BE-MET5

[Link to this fact](https://atlas-staging.minestarters.com/news/desert-gold-preliminary-economic-assessment-pea-progress-update-for-smsz-project--8e35b7e9-1dc2-4424-b4d1-578ef44b3de8#fact-drill-facts-4)

SMSZ Project · gold

#### Identity

- Hole ID: BE-MET5
- Project: SMSZ Project
- Commodity: gold
- Region: mali
- Reported Region: West Mali
- Ticker: DAU

#### Geometry

- Grade: 0.65
- Grade Unit: g/t
- Intercept: 8.45 m
- From: 67 m
- To: 75.45 m

#### Classification

- Sample Type: drill
- Group ID: BE-MET5:67-75.45
- Mining Method: open\_pit

#### QA/QC

- QA/QC Disclosed: Yes
- QP Signed: Yes

#### Review

- Needs Review: No
- Interp. Status: scored
- Historical: No

#### Dates

- Event date: 2024-08-01T00:00:00.000Z

Reasoning: Low grade intercept.

Evidence · text

> BE-MET5 - 0.65 g/t Au over 8.45 metres from 67 metres - oxide

### BE-MET5

[Link to this fact](https://atlas-staging.minestarters.com/news/desert-gold-preliminary-economic-assessment-pea-progress-update-for-smsz-project--8e35b7e9-1dc2-4424-b4d1-578ef44b3de8#fact-drill-facts-5)

SMSZ Project · gold

#### Identity

- Hole ID: BE-MET5
- Project: SMSZ Project
- Commodity: gold
- Region: mali
- Reported Region: West Mali
- Ticker: DAU

#### Geometry

- Grade: 1.05
- Grade Unit: g/t
- Intercept: 6 m
- From: 104 m
- To: 110 m

#### Classification

- Sample Type: drill
- Group ID: BE-MET5:104-110
- Mining Method: open\_pit

#### QA/QC

- QA/QC Disclosed: Yes
- QP Signed: Yes

#### Review

- Needs Review: No
- Interp. Status: scored
- Historical: No

#### Dates

- Event date: 2024-08-01T00:00:00.000Z

Reasoning: Higher grade interval in transition zone.

- Positive factor: extra mineralization

Evidence · text

> BE-MET5 - 1.05 g/t Au over 6.0 metres from 104 metres - oxide/transition, extra mineralization

### BE-MET6

[Link to this fact](https://atlas-staging.minestarters.com/news/desert-gold-preliminary-economic-assessment-pea-progress-update-for-smsz-project--8e35b7e9-1dc2-4424-b4d1-578ef44b3de8#fact-drill-facts-6)

SMSZ Project · gold

#### Identity

- Hole ID: BE-MET6
- Project: SMSZ Project
- Commodity: gold
- Region: mali
- Reported Region: West Mali
- Ticker: DAU

#### Geometry

- Grade: 0.97
- Grade Unit: g/t
- Intercept: 5 m
- From: 20 m
- To: 25 m

#### Classification

- Sample Type: drill
- Group ID: BE-MET6:20-25
- Mining Method: open\_pit

#### QA/QC

- QA/QC Disclosed: Yes
- QP Signed: Yes

#### Review

- Needs Review: No
- Interp. Status: scored
- Historical: No

#### Dates

- Event date: 2024-08-01T00:00:00.000Z

Reasoning: Low grade intercept.

Evidence · text

> BE-MET6 - 0.97 g/t Au over 5 metres from 20 metres - oxide

### FR-MET5

[Link to this fact](https://atlas-staging.minestarters.com/news/desert-gold-preliminary-economic-assessment-pea-progress-update-for-smsz-project--8e35b7e9-1dc2-4424-b4d1-578ef44b3de8#fact-drill-facts-7)

SMSZ Project · gold

#### Identity

- Hole ID: FR-MET5
- Project: SMSZ Project
- Commodity: gold
- Region: mali
- Reported Region: West Mali
- Ticker: DAU

#### Geometry

- Grade: 0.72
- Grade Unit: g/t
- Intercept: 21.9 m
- From: 3.4 m
- To: 25.3 m

#### Classification

- Sample Type: drill
- Group ID: FR-MET5:3.4-25.3
- Mining Method: open\_pit

#### QA/QC

- QA/QC Disclosed: Yes
- QP Signed: Yes

#### Review

- Needs Review: No
- Interp. Status: scored
- Historical: No

#### Dates

- Event date: 2024-08-01T00:00:00.000Z

Reasoning: Wide intercept in transition zone.

Evidence · text

> FR-MET5 - 0.72 g/t Au over 21.9 metres from 3.4 metres - transition

### FR-MET5

[Link to this fact](https://atlas-staging.minestarters.com/news/desert-gold-preliminary-economic-assessment-pea-progress-update-for-smsz-project--8e35b7e9-1dc2-4424-b4d1-578ef44b3de8#fact-drill-facts-8)

SMSZ Project · gold

#### Identity

- Hole ID: FR-MET5
- Project: SMSZ Project
- Commodity: gold
- Region: mali
- Reported Region: West Mali
- Ticker: DAU

#### Geometry

- Grade: 1.18
- Grade Unit: g/t
- Intercept: 24.6 m
- From: 35.4 m
- To: 60 m

#### Classification

- Sample Type: drill
- Group ID: FR-MET5:35.4-60
- Mining Method: open\_pit

#### QA/QC

- QA/QC Disclosed: Yes
- QP Signed: Yes

#### Review

- Needs Review: No
- Interp. Status: scored
- Historical: No

#### Dates

- Event date: 2024-08-01T00:00:00.000Z

Reasoning: Wide, higher grade intercept in fresh rock.

Evidence · text

> FR-MET5 - 1.18 g/t Au over 24.6 metres from 35.4 metres - fresh rock

### FR-MET6

[Link to this fact](https://atlas-staging.minestarters.com/news/desert-gold-preliminary-economic-assessment-pea-progress-update-for-smsz-project--8e35b7e9-1dc2-4424-b4d1-578ef44b3de8#fact-drill-facts-9)

SMSZ Project · gold

#### Identity

- Hole ID: FR-MET6
- Project: SMSZ Project
- Commodity: gold
- Region: mali
- Reported Region: West Mali
- Ticker: DAU

#### Geometry

- Grade: 0.7
- Grade Unit: g/t
- Intercept: 8.5 m
- From: 6 m
- To: 14.5 m

#### Classification

- Sample Type: drill
- Group ID: FR-MET6:6.0-14.5
- Mining Method: open\_pit

#### QA/QC

- QA/QC Disclosed: Yes
- QP Signed: Yes

#### Review

- Needs Review: No
- Interp. Status: scored
- Historical: No

#### Dates

- Event date: 2024-08-01T00:00:00.000Z

Reasoning: Low grade intercept in transition zone.

Evidence · text

> FR-MET6 - 0.70 g/t Au over 8.5 metres from 6.0 metres- transition

### FR-MET6

[Link to this fact](https://atlas-staging.minestarters.com/news/desert-gold-preliminary-economic-assessment-pea-progress-update-for-smsz-project--8e35b7e9-1dc2-4424-b4d1-578ef44b3de8#fact-drill-facts-10)

SMSZ Project · gold

#### Identity

- Hole ID: FR-MET6
- Project: SMSZ Project
- Commodity: gold
- Region: mali
- Reported Region: West Mali
- Ticker: DAU

#### Geometry

- Grade: 1.84
- Grade Unit: g/t
- Intercept: 23.5 m
- From: 17 m
- To: 40.5 m

#### Classification

- Sample Type: drill
- Group ID: FR-MET6:17-40.5
- Mining Method: open\_pit

#### QA/QC

- QA/QC Disclosed: Yes
- QP Signed: Yes

#### Review

- Needs Review: No
- Interp. Status: scored
- Historical: No

#### Dates

- Event date: 2024-08-01T00:00:00.000Z

Reasoning: Strong grade and width in fresh rock.

Evidence · text

> FR-MET6 - 1.84 g/t Au over 23.5 metres from 17 metres - mostly fresh rock

### FR-MET7

[Link to this fact](https://atlas-staging.minestarters.com/news/desert-gold-preliminary-economic-assessment-pea-progress-update-for-smsz-project--8e35b7e9-1dc2-4424-b4d1-578ef44b3de8#fact-drill-facts-11)

SMSZ Project · gold

#### Identity

- Hole ID: FR-MET7
- Project: SMSZ Project
- Commodity: gold
- Region: mali
- Reported Region: West Mali
- Ticker: DAU

#### Geometry

- Grade: 0.9
- Grade Unit: g/t
- Intercept: 33.6 m
- From: 6.8 m
- To: 40.4 m

#### Classification

- Sample Type: drill
- Group ID: FR-MET7:6.8-40.4
- Mining Method: open\_pit

#### QA/QC

- QA/QC Disclosed: Yes
- QP Signed: Yes

#### Review

- Needs Review: No
- Interp. Status: scored
- Historical: No

#### Dates

- Event date: 2024-08-01T00:00:00.000Z

Reasoning: Wide intercept in mixed oxide/weathered fresh rock.

Evidence · text

> FR-MET7 - 0.90 g/t Au over 33.6 metres from 6.8 metres - mix of oxide and weathered fresh

### FR-MET1

[Link to this fact](https://atlas-staging.minestarters.com/news/desert-gold-preliminary-economic-assessment-pea-progress-update-for-smsz-project--8e35b7e9-1dc2-4424-b4d1-578ef44b3de8#fact-drill-facts-12)

SMSZ Project · gold

#### Identity

- Hole ID: FR-MET1
- Project: SMSZ Project
- Commodity: gold
- Region: mali
- Reported Region: West Mali
- Ticker: DAU

#### Geometry

- Grade: 6.62
- Grade Unit: g/t
- Intercept: 12 m
- From: 2 m
- To: 14 m

#### Classification

- Sample Type: drill
- Group ID: FR-MET1:2-14
- Mining Method: open\_pit

#### QA/QC

- QA/QC Disclosed: Yes
- QP Signed: Yes

#### Review

- Needs Review: No
- Interp. Status: scored
- Historical: No

#### Dates

- Event date: 2024-08-01T00:00:00.000Z

Reasoning: Strong grade intercept in oxide zone.

- Positive factor: high grade

Evidence · text

> FR-MET1 - 6.62 g/t Au over 12 metres from 2 metres - oxide

### FR-MET1

[Link to this fact](https://atlas-staging.minestarters.com/news/desert-gold-preliminary-economic-assessment-pea-progress-update-for-smsz-project--8e35b7e9-1dc2-4424-b4d1-578ef44b3de8#fact-drill-facts-13)

SMSZ Project · gold

#### Identity

- Hole ID: FR-MET1
- Project: SMSZ Project
- Commodity: gold
- Region: mali
- Reported Region: West Mali
- Ticker: DAU

#### Geometry

- Grade: 12.93
- Grade Unit: g/t
- Intercept: 1 m
- From: 47 m
- To: 48 m

#### Classification

- Sample Type: drill
- Group ID: FR-MET1:47-48
- Mining Method: open\_pit

#### QA/QC

- QA/QC Disclosed: Yes
- QP Signed: Yes

#### Review

- Needs Review: No
- Interp. Status: scored
- Historical: No

#### Dates

- Event date: 2024-08-01T00:00:00.000Z

Reasoning: Very high grade intercept in fresh rock, though narrow.

- Positive factor: high grade

Evidence · text

> FR-MET1 - 12.93 g/t Au over 1 metre from 47 metres - fresh rock

### FR-MET2

[Link to this fact](https://atlas-staging.minestarters.com/news/desert-gold-preliminary-economic-assessment-pea-progress-update-for-smsz-project--8e35b7e9-1dc2-4424-b4d1-578ef44b3de8#fact-drill-facts-14)

SMSZ Project · gold

#### Identity

- Hole ID: FR-MET2
- Project: SMSZ Project
- Commodity: gold
- Region: mali
- Reported Region: West Mali
- Ticker: DAU

#### Geometry

- Grade: 0.47
- Grade Unit: g/t
- Intercept: 15.5 m
- From: 47 m
- To: 62.5 m

#### Classification

- Sample Type: drill
- Group ID: FR-MET2:47-62.5
- Mining Method: open\_pit

#### QA/QC

- QA/QC Disclosed: Yes
- QP Signed: Yes

#### Review

- Needs Review: No
- Interp. Status: scored
- Historical: No

#### Dates

- Event date: 2024-08-01T00:00:00.000Z

Reasoning: Low grade intercept in oxide zone.

Evidence · text

> FR-MET2 - 0.47 g/t Au over 15.5 metres from 47 metres - oxide

### FR-MET3

[Link to this fact](https://atlas-staging.minestarters.com/news/desert-gold-preliminary-economic-assessment-pea-progress-update-for-smsz-project--8e35b7e9-1dc2-4424-b4d1-578ef44b3de8#fact-drill-facts-15)

SMSZ Project · gold

#### Identity

- Hole ID: FR-MET3
- Project: SMSZ Project
- Commodity: gold
- Region: mali
- Reported Region: West Mali
- Ticker: DAU

#### Geometry

- Grade: 0.33
- Grade Unit: g/t
- Intercept: 14 m
- From: 5 m
- To: 19 m

#### Classification

- Sample Type: drill
- Group ID: FR-MET3:5-19
- Mining Method: open\_pit

#### QA/QC

- QA/QC Disclosed: Yes
- QP Signed: Yes

#### Review

- Needs Review: No
- Interp. Status: scored
- Historical: No

#### Dates

- Event date: 2024-08-01T00:00:00.000Z

Reasoning: Low grade intercept in oxide zone.

Evidence · text

> FR-MET3 - 0.33 g/t Au over 14 metres from 5 metres - oxide

### FR-MET4

[Link to this fact](https://atlas-staging.minestarters.com/news/desert-gold-preliminary-economic-assessment-pea-progress-update-for-smsz-project--8e35b7e9-1dc2-4424-b4d1-578ef44b3de8#fact-drill-facts-16)

SMSZ Project · gold

#### Identity

- Hole ID: FR-MET4
- Project: SMSZ Project
- Commodity: gold
- Region: mali
- Reported Region: West Mali
- Ticker: DAU

#### Geometry

- Grade: 0.51
- Grade Unit: g/t
- Intercept: 36 m
- From: 2 m
- To: 38 m

#### Classification

- Sample Type: drill
- Group ID: FR-MET4:2-38
- Mining Method: open\_pit

#### QA/QC

- QA/QC Disclosed: Yes
- QP Signed: Yes

#### Review

- Needs Review: No
- Interp. Status: scored
- Historical: No

#### Dates

- Event date: 2024-08-01T00:00:00.000Z

Reasoning: Wide, low grade intercept in oxide zone.

Evidence · text

> FR-MET4 - 0.51 g/t Au over 36 metres from 2 metres - oxide

## How Atlas produces this analysis

Minestarters Atlas uses automated extraction to summarize mining announcements, identify reported measurements, and classify supporting evidence. Sentiment reflects the extracted narrative and classification rules; it is an interpretation, not a reported measurement. Evidence quotes and context are provided where available. Missing data, low-confidence results, and review flags indicate limitations. Check the original publisher announcement before relying on an interpretation.